Weighing apparatus and combination weighing apparatus

Abstract

A weighing apparatus includes a load cell, a fixing portion to which one end of the load cell is fixed, a hopper configured to store articles, a connecting portion configured to connect the other end of the load cell and the hopper to each other, a first support portion facing a first portion provided to the load cell or the connecting portion via a first gap and configured to support the first portion along a first direction when a first limit load acts on the hopper, and a second support portion facing a second portion provided to the load cell or the connecting portion via a second gap and configured to support the second portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction while the first support portion supports the first portion when a second limit load larger than the first limit load acts on the hopper.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A weighing apparatus comprising:
 a load cell; 
 a fixing portion to which one end of the load cell is fixed; 
 a hopper configured to store articles; 
 a connecting portion configured to connect the other end of the load cell and the hopper to each other; 
 a first support portion facing a first portion provided to the load cell or the connecting portion via a first gap and configured to support the first portion along a first direction when a first limit load acts on the hopper; and 
 a second support portion facing a second portion provided to the load cell or the connecting portion via a second gap and configured to support the second portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction while the first support portion supports the first portion when a second limit load larger than the first limit load acts on the hopper. 
 
     
     
       2. The weighing apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first direction is a vertical direction, 
 the second direction is a direction in which the one end of the load cell and the other end of the load cell face each other, 
 the first support portion is provided to a first extending portion configured to extend from the fixing portion to a side of the load cell, and 
 the second support portion is provided to a second extending portion configured to extend above the load cell from the fixing portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The weighing apparatus according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the first portion is provided to the connecting portion to face the first support portion from above in the first direction, and 
 the second portion is provided to the connecting portion to face the second support portion from an opposite side from the hopper in the second direction. 
 
     
     
       4. A combination weighing apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of weighing apparatuses according to  claim 1 ; 
 a conveyance portion configured to convey the articles to the hopper; and 
 a controller configured to select a combination of weighing values so that a total value becomes a target weighing value based on weighing values of the articles output from the weighing apparatuses, and discharge the articles to the hopper corresponding to the combination.